MLB notebook: Blue Jays lose catcher Eli Whiteside to Rangers

The Boston Red Sox, after striking out the first time, are reportedly making a fresh pitch for veteran starter Ryan Dempster.

Published on Wed Dec 12 2012

The Texas Rangers are the fourth team this off-season for catcher Eli Whiteside, who was claimed from the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Whiteside, a career .224 hitter with one home run and 20 RBIs in 208 major league games since 2005, was picked up by Toronto after being designated for assignment by the Yankees, who got him on a waiver claim from the Giants.

DEMPSTER DERBY: According to online reports, the Red Sox have resumed pursuit of Canadian-born free-agent pitcher Ryan Dempster. The 35-year-old starter rejected a two-year offer from Boston worth $25 million in search of a longer contract, FoxSports.com reported. Dempster, 12-8 with a 3.38 ERA last season, also turned down a similar offer from the Kansas City Royals, who later acquired James Shields and Wade Davis from the Rays.

WRIGHT STUFF: David Wright won’t get the final portion of his eight-year, $138 million contract with the New York Mets until 2025. The deal includes $15.5 million in salary that is being deferred without interest. The money is to be paid in equal instalments of $3.1 each June 30 from 2021-25. Wright’s previous contract called for him to make $16 million next season, and the all-star third baseman’s 2013 salary was reduced to $11 million, of which $3 million will be deferred.

DODGER DEPTH: The Dodgers acquired second baseman/outfielder Skip Schumaker from the Cardinals for minor league infielder Jake Lemmerman. The left-handed hitting Schumaker, a career .305 hitter against right-handed pitching, won two World Series with the Cards. The Dodgers’ payroll is at $214.8 million.

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